Black Friday is prime time for snagging a bargain and unfortunately, it’s also prime time for cyber criminals. With inboxes overflowing and adverts flying in from every direction, it’s all too easy to click before you think. Here are the top five Black Friday dangers to watch out for, and how to help your team steer clear of them.
1. Fake retailer emails
During the Black Friday rush, scammers mimic well known retailers with emails that look eerily convincing. These usually claim there’s a problem with your order, a payment has failed, or you’re eligible for a special discount. One click on the link and you’re taken to a spoofed site designed to steal login details or payment information.
How to spot it:
Hover over the link before you click it, to reveal the real website address. Make sure to look out for spelling mistakes in the URL and the email address (think g00gle). Check the sender’s address, don’t click on any email links, and head directly to the retailer’s legitimate website to investigate instead.
2. “Limited time” phishing deals
Everyone loves a flash sale and scammers know it. Phishing emails and adverts offering “90% off, today only!” aim to create panic and push people into hurried decisions. The pressure tactic is the hook, and the fake checkout page is the trap.
How to spot it:
If the deal looks too good to be true, it probably is. Pause, breathe, and verify through website reviews and third-party sources before you buy.
3. Counterfeit delivery notifications
With so many parcels being delivered for Black Friday, delivery themed scams spike dramatically. Fraudulent texts and emails claiming a parcel couldn’t be delivered or requires a small “redelivery fee” are common. Clicking the link often installs malware or sends you to a phishing form.
How to spot it:
Be wary of unexpected delivery messages. Use your courier’s official app or website to check parcel statuses.
4. Malicious discount codes
Social media, forums and even search engines can surface “exclusive Black Friday discount codes” that don’t come from the retailer at all. Some lead to malicious attachments or code-generating sites loaded with malware. Others lure users to bogus shops set up solely to harvest card data.
How to spot it:
Only trust discount codes from the retailer’s official site or verified partners.
5. Social media giveaway traps
Giveaways promising free gadgets, gift cards, or high-value items explode during Black Friday week. Many accounts running these “competitions” aren’t affiliated with the brands they imitate. They often request personal details, encourage resharing for reach, or redirect you to phishing pages.
How to spot it:
Check the page’s authenticity, look for verification marks, and be cautious of giveaways asking for sensitive information.
Stay safe this Black Friday
Cyber criminals love this time of year but with the right awareness and training, your team doesn’t have to make their lives easy. Understanding the signs of seasonal scams is the first step towards building real organisational resilience.
Train your team to spot the real deals from the real dangers.
